-Are you happy?-

I let the question sink in. It had been a long time since I asked that myself. It reminded me of all the questions I used to overthink about once, when I didn’t know how to bury the head so cowardly under the sand. 

-I think…- I hesitated. I looked at the dirty walls, the peeling wallpaper and the dusty floor. It didn’t look like the room of a cleaning lady at all. I glanced at the brains burgers, hoping to cheer myself up, but the anguished feeling didn’t leave me.

-I’m fine, thanks. - I said flatly. Lies were easy. Why should I have complicated everything with vulnerability, especially with strangers I didn’t trust? -I’ll be fine.-

-That’s your final decision, Hana?- She asked, with deep sadness in her voice. -We’ll never come back in this district, there won’t be a second chance.-

“Who is this woman? Why does she talk like she cares about me? I don’t know her, she doesn’t know me. I’m saving myself for some kind of cult or scam, for sure” I tried to reassure myself. “Best case scenario she just has the wrong person here”

-I've made up my mind.- My voice was more cold than I intended to be. -It was a pleasure to talk with you guys-

L was about to say something when we suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs of the condo. By the din of steps on the stairs, it sounded like an entire crowd was coming up. 

-Shit.- V took off his sunglasses, nervously. -These ones are for me, I’m afraid.- 

-What?- I asked, confused.

-I swear to you, he went this way.- I heard a distant voice coming from the floors below, in a hurry.

-You can bet he did- Said a female voice, a cruel one. -Or you’re going to have a little trip to Dark Void soon.- 

I stared at V with barren eyes, alarmed. He scratched his head and gave us an apologetic smile, like he was a child catched stealing sweets. -Dark Substances dealers gang. The Tombs is the name, or something lame like that. I didn’t have money, so I stole a few Dark Blood’s phials from them. Do you have cash, L?- He asked casually. 

She shrugged her shoulders. -Nope.-

I knew the name of The Tombs very well, everyone knew around the block. -Seriously, of all the people you could mess with, you choose crime lords?! You’re dead, and I’m dead. My apartment is dead.- I panicked. 

-Well, I suppose I’ll have to… uhm… talk my way out, But let’s get ready for plan B, anyway.- He stretched his arms and cracked his knuckles. 

I realized what he meant by plan B. - No, no, no. No plan B! Let’s call the police. There must be at least a dozen thugs coming here, you cannot fight them all!- 

-This way!- I heard the voice almost in the corridor. 

-L, Miss Lee, get behind me, please. - V ordered. I ran near the window, my heart beating like it was about to come out from my chest. 

-I know it’s distressing, my dear.- Said L, strolling calmly at my side. -But V is a pretty experienced bodyguard. Everything is going to be fine.- 

The steps and the voice came closer.

A bunch of muscular thugs arrived, entering my studio apartment. Most of them were ghouls, armed with spiked clubs, baseball bats and knives. The boss, a beautiful vampire woman with long, red hair and muscular arms, entered the room with surefootedness.

“She definitely has step-on-me-mommy vibes.” It was twenty years since I left Earth, but memes, especially the dank ones, were still popping out of my brain from time to time. 

-Hello there.- She said, grinning.